Microsoft Healthcare Solutions
www.srdc.metu.edu.tr/webpage/seminars/Healthcare/MicrosoftHealthcareSolutions.ppt

The Solutions Evaluated
Below would be some benefits and disadvantages to the solutions which I purposed earlier:

1. Communication Collaboration System for Streamlining Grant Proposal Process

Benefits:
Secured web portal, would comply with HIPPA if need be
Centralized repository for grant proposals
Would offer controlled access and edit rights and alerts for changes and revisions
A shared or hosted sharepoint server could be very cost effective.

Disadvantages:
System would require a server with sharepoint and additional technical resources to administrate, update and maintain.
System could link with EPEX but this would be through custom services, which would be costly
Would require SME’s to write framework, as proposal processes changed this service would also have to be updated, maintained, etc..
Permissions to use an additional system

Questions to first understand better is what would the added benefit bring Emory and the costs justify the system.

2. Modification of EPEX to support more collaboration, editing documents, centralized portal for grants and proposals.

Benefits:
Leverages existing Emory ERP System, servers, databases, program, portals, seamless unification amongst other business departments
Costs would be contained to development within the ERP system

Disadvantages:
EPEX May not support the collaborative abilities as sharepoint
Process could not be contained within ER department, request would likely go through IS/T, delivery time, cost, requirement of greater oversight, could eliminate or slow down process entirely.

It is likely to be a combination of the two systems because it would be unlikely that the oracle ERP system could handle the kind of collaborative needs, synchronization and revision management capabilities are already built into sharepoint.

Do we really know what kind of hybrid of information based system would really solve this kind of problem for Emory? A client based RFP and greater evaluation of the process is needed to determine its scope, cost and benefit requirements, and if having an elaborate system to aide PI’s and others is really necessary or if a salaried position would be justifiable as opposed to creating a self service system.